The MEDUS has its origins in our product line for professional mastering studios. Mastering Engineers have the Golden Ears to give the music recordings the final touch before their release. So the MEDUS is as transparent as it can be. Hands down the best Digital to Analog Converter money can buy.

MEDUS is a stereo 24 Bit/192 kHz Digital to Analog Converter designed with the aim of keeping an absolutely uncompromising audio signal path. Much detail and thought was spent on the digital input as well as the analog output stage. Both have in common the purest possible approach in audio design, aspiring for nothing less than excellence. This is coupled with an ergonomic design that gives the user immediate access to all necessary functions, while keeping an uncluttered and thus easy-to-use front panel. This combination makes a truly professional D/A converter catering for the highest expectations.

The MEDUS works with AES/EBU, S/DIF, USB and Firewire (optional) inputs and handles PCM as well as DSD signals. An IR remote unit controls all functions.

“No doubt, this is a reference-level component.”

Doug Schneider, Soundstage!

“What I’ve felt this week-end is beyond words. Again this evening I’ve been transfixed by the music during hours … ‘Beast’ was not the appropriate adjective for the MEDUS: it puts out the most refined sound one could possibly imagine.I congratulate you … you are doing a beautiful profession indeed ….”

Audiophile customer

Main Features

MechanicsThe MEDUS employs a twin metal frame. The inner chassis is made of steel and acts as a very effective shield against electrostatic and electromagnetic radiation. The outer frame is made of massive anodized aluminium for additional shielding, resulting in optimal heat convection and beautiful looks.

Power SupplyA powerful non-switching power supply is used. All sensitive voltages have their own regulators which are separated between left and right channels. The result is an analog output free of “digital noise” and channel crosstalk. The power switch activates a semiconductor relay which only switches on or off at zero crossings of the mains voltage. This assures a glitch free power switching. The mains transformer sits in a mu-metal shielding box.

SynchronizationThe MEDUS is synchronized by the input signal present at the selected input. Several signal re-clocking schemes are combined for extremely high jitter attenuation down to subsonic frequencies, making the MEDUS virtually immune to jitter. With the USB or Firewire inputs the master clock is generated by the MEDUS.

Digital Inputs

There are a total of four inputs with the following input sockets:

Input #1: AES/EBU on XLR or RCA

Input #2: AES/EBU on XLR or RCA

Input #3: AES/EBU on XLR or USB

Input #4: AES/EBU on TOSLINK or RCA

Sampling frequencies can be 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 or 192 kHz. Inputs #1 and #2 can be used for the dual wire scheme of transferring 88.2 kHz…192 kHz data. All inputs accept up to 24 Bits of data word-length. Optional inputs are Firewire or ST type glass fiber.

ConvertersThe 32 Bit DAC chip up-samples the input signal to about 1.5 MHz. Four D/A conversion channels are used per audio channel, resulting in exceptional performance specifications. The I/V conversion after the DAC chip uses two of our own discrete OP-AMPs (the OP1-BP) per channel.

Analog OutputsAll analog processing is done with our own discrete operational amplifier modules, the Weiss OP1-BP. The OP1-BP is arguably the best audio operational amplifier currently available. Four OP1-BP are used per channel, two for current to voltage (I/V) conversion and two for the balanced and unbalanced output stages. The OP1-BP run in class A mode for all common loads. Output levels can be set with a rotary switch at the back of the unit. The level range is 32 dB with a 1 dB step resolution. The outputs are symmetrical on XLR connectors and asymmetrical on RCA connectors. No sound degrading servo mechanisms or AC coupling capacitors are used.

Front panel controls

The power switch allows to switch on or off the MEDUS unit. Four switches select one out of four input sources. A display conveys information on the selected input, the sampling frequency, the output level, the oversampling filter type, the absolute output polarity, the mute status and the coarse output level setting

Remote ControlAllows to control all functions of the MEDUS, namely: The input selected for conversion, the output level, output muting, the coarse output level, the absolute polarity, the oversampling filter type, the display brightness.

Back panel elements from left to right

Analog outputs on XLR and RCA connectors with output level switch.

Digital inputs 1…4 (three XLR, three RCA, one USB and one TOSLINK connector).

Mains connector with fuses and voltage selector.

Optional back-panel elements

Firewire connector.

ST type glass fiber connector.

Awards

The first generation Weiss MEDEA D/A Converter is a “2003 Golden Ear Award” winner from “The Absolute Sound” magazine and a “2001 Product of the Year” award winner by the “HiFi Review” magazine, Hong Kong.

The second generation Weiss MEDUS D/A Converter is a “2013–2014 Best Of The Year” award winner from “Audiophile” magazine Thailand.

“What I’ve felt this week-end is beyond words. Again this evening I’ve been transfixed by the music during hours … ‘Beast’ was not the appropriate adjective for the MEDUS: it puts out the most refined sound one could possibly imagine.I congratulate you … you are doing a beautiful profession indeed ….”

Audiophile customer

“We have had a chance to spend time with the MEDUS with Firewire. All I can say is … WOW. It is amazing. I listened with a TAD system (CR1s, Viola Labs preamp, various amplifiers) and also with a highly resolving headphone setup (Woo WES and Stax 009s). Mighty impressive!”

Audiophile customer

Press

“No doubt, this is a reference-level component.”

Doug Schneider, Soundstage!

Professional Mastering Engineers

“This is without any doubt the best D/A so far.”

Goran Finnberg, The Mastering Room, Sweden

“Interestingly, my clients in the past week have all commented on ‘how good’ the speakers sounded, including some folks who had previous projects mastered here. The difference is the MEDUS.”

Barry Corliss, Master Works, Seattle

“For the first time in my digital mastering career I have the distinct feeling I am finally hearing what is really on the tapes and CD’s delivered to me.”

Maarten de Boer, The Masters, Netherlands

Technical Data

Dimensions (cm)

Power

Mains voltage: 100…120 / 200…240 VoltFuse rating: 500 mA slow blow

Power consumption: 80 VA max.

Power consumption in standby: 2 VA max.

Size

Depth: 30 cm

Width: 45 cm

Height: 6,6 cm

Height with feet: 7,4 cm

Size Remote

Depth: 2,5 cm

Width: 6,2 cm

Height: 16,9 cm

Available Color

Silver, Black

Digital Inputs

(3) XLR connectors

(1) TOSLINK connector (optical)

(3) RCA connectors

(1) USB connector

All inputs accept professional or consumer standard, i.e. accept AES/EBU or S/PDIF signals

Sampling frequencies; single wire scheme: 44.1kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz or 192 kHz on any of the four inputs

The MEDUS can be used in a variety of configurations. In all cases the MEDUS can be used as a pre-amplifier as well. This allows to reduce the number of components in a playback system by connecting the MEDUS directly to the power amplifier. Typical applications are:

With the optional inputs (Firewire or ST glass fiber) the connectivity is further enhanced. E.g. with the ST glass fiber it is possible to connect the MEDUS to the JASON CD Transport directly via a glass fiber connection.

FAQ

For Frequently Asked Questions and discussions about this and other products our new Forum will be available soon.